GRAMPIANS Community Health has reminded family violence survivors they are not alone and support is available.

The organisation’s homelessness and family violence program’s Emily Clark said there were misconceptions about the services available to people. Its core services include family violence case management, men’s behaviour change and family violence workers.

“Our family violence case management offers practical support. We help and support them go to court for intervention orders, liaising with the police, establishing safety plans and looking into their home security,” she said.

She said a family violence worker’s role was to provide emotional support.

“Our family violence counsellor provides therapeutic emotional support. This happens either after or alongside the practical support to talk about the impacts of family violence,” she said.

“In some cases, the person is still in the relationship with the perpetrator so it might be support to handle being in the relationship still.”

She said the men’s behaviour change program addressed men’s violence against women, partner and families through group sessions.

“We hope to expand this program to hopefully lessen family violence situations,” she said.

Miss Clark encouraged people in supporting positions to seek advice.

“When you are the third party – a carer’s type =scenario – we offer one-off education consults with them to help that person know what to do,” she said.

Miss Clark said services extended further than what people realised.

“While our organisation is based in Horsham, Stawell and Ararat, people in smaller communities – such as Nhill and Apsley – don’t realise our services extend out to them,” she said.